Personal biography

I am a native Nashvillian born the oldest of five children who all attended Nashville public schools.
I have three sisters and one brother who are either small business owners, teachers or administrative
personnel. My father was a Metro police officer who established the Metro Youth Aid and Vice Squad
divisions of the Metro Police Department and my mother is retired from the Metro Trustee’s office.

I am very lucky to have two great children, and a great daughter-in-law. My son, Ricky, is a teacher
and coach in public school and his wife, Carrie, is a reading specialist in public school. My daughter,
Summer, has a degree in social work and is currently working in the public school system. My granddaughter,
Bailey, is 8 years old, beautiful and wise beyond her years. My grandson, Aidan, is a precious, fearless
4 year old boy. Since my political career began my family has been its backbone. Everyone in the family
helps with the signs, phone calls and election day.

Political biography

I served as a Metro Nashville Council Member for eight years and during that time I also served as a member
of the Metro Nashville Planning Commission. I have served seven terms in the General Assembly and I have been
on committees that I feel seriously affect the lives of average working people, women, children, education and
healthcare. I serve on Children and Family Affairs as committee Vice-Chair, Chair the Domestic Relations
Committee, Member of Family Justice Committee, Health and Human Services Committee, Public Health Committee,
Professional Occupations Committee, Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee, and am Chair of the Select Committee
on Children and Youth.

I have served as the Davidson County Delegation Chair for two terms. I am a member of the Tennessee
Economic Council on Women, Exchange Club Board Member, Nashville Women’s Political Caucus;
Davidson County Democratic Women, and a volunteer for C.A.S.A. (Court appointed special advocates).
I am a member of the Committee on Housing Solutions for Mental Health and Vice Chair of the Tennessee Coalition
Against Domestic Violence Board. I am also a Mom, Grandmama, and every once in a while I’ll plant a flower or listen
to a book on CD in the car just to think about something that has nothing to do with anything important.

I have been fortunate to receive awards for my leadership in the General Assembly from:

Legislator of the Year Namesake Award Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence

United Way Leadership Award

Mid Cumberland Council on Children and Youth

Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association Outstanding Leadership Award

Tennessee AFL-CIO Leadership Award

Tennessee Citizen Action Leadership Award

Tennessee March of Dimes Leadership Award

Vanderbilt Law School Leadership Award

TN Podiatric Medical Association Legislator of the Year Award

TN Firefighters Legislator of the Year

Nashville Firefighters Legislator of the Year

Senior Citizens Leadership Award

TN Alarm Association Legislator of the Year

Outstanding Legislator, TN Coalition Against Domestic Violence

TN Development District Association Leadership Award

AARP Legislative Leadership Award

TN Association of Social Workers Leadership Award

Family and Children's Services Leadership Award

Association of Retarded Citizens Outstanding Leadership Award

Boy's & Girl's Club Leadership Award

Mid Cumberland Council on Children & Youth Leadership Award

TN Coalition Against Domestic Violence Outstanding Legislator

TN Commission on Children & Youth Leadership Award

Kinship Champion Award by the TN Dept. of Children's Services

TN State Employees Leadership Award

TN Conservation Voters Award

Here is a list of my sponsored and
co-sponsored bills.
I have taken very strong stands on women and children issues and take great pride in being considered by some as
one of the strongest voices for women in the Legislature. I am especially proud to be the House Member
that other Members feel they can rely on for information and honest facts regarding children issues.
Children’s advocates come to me with difficult issues so I can help them do what is best for children in
Tennessee. I have always done and will always do everything I can to make lives better for the average
working man and woman.